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Formula - Ian McClaflin [DIGITAL SET]
Genre: Percussion Ensemble
# of Players: 4
Level: Medium | Duration: 5:50
Publisher: C. Alan Publications | Copyright: 2020
Download mp3 | Click on images to left for score sample
Rating:
Price:
$36.00
Item #:
27140D
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Notes & Instrumentation
Formula is a percussion quartet that will keep the audience entertained as well as providing a challenge to its players. The piece incorporates four different styles of playing that will showcase the range of its performers and is a great programming choice for recitals along with small ensemble contests.
Genre: Percussion Ensemble | # of Players: 4
Level: Medium | Duration: 5:50
Instrumentation
Percussion 1: Snare Drum, Splash Cymbal
Percussion 2: 2 High Toms, 2 Woodblocks, Splash Cymbal
Percussion 3: Concert Bass Drum (shared w/ Perc. 4), 2 Low Toms, Splash Cymbal
Percussion 4: Concert Bass Drum (shared w/ Perc. 3), Kick Drum, Snare Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Hi-Hat
Program Notes
The intent with Formula was to bring together 4 different approaches to the concert percussion quartet while providing an entertaining, diverse experience to the audience. The work has four distinct sections that comprise the work, including a split section, a texture section, a concert snare section, and a drum set groove based section. The beginning statement of the work provides a small preview of each section.Each different section is led by a particular member of the ensemble: Percussion 1 is the main voice in the concert snare portion, Percussion 2 in the splits section, Percussion 3 in the texture section, while Percussion 4 is the main voice in the drum set/groove section. Along with being the main voice, each leader will also improvise in the style of their section. The piece ends with fragments of each previous section while giving each player one last chance to shine.
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Product Reviews
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Percussive Notes New Literature Review
“Formula” features a variety of playing techniques with minimal instrument demands in a manner that will engage audiences and serve as a strong lesson in chamber music for advanced high school to intermediate college performers.
Scored for four percussionists, Ian McClaflin utilizes the unpitched instrumentation in constantly changing roles throughout the piece. The sections of the piece are distinguished by easily noticeable changes in style and/or timbre: “drummy” hockets, the use of brushes, quasi drum set grooves, and use of the snare drum as the main voice. The opening of the work gives brief glimpses of each of these, followed by their development and repetition.
While not overly complex, the interlocking of rhythms could become challenging for less experienced performers at the indicated tempo of 164 bpm. If performed without a conductor, it would be essential for students to spend a good deal of preparation and rehearsal time learning key aspects of the other performers’ parts and isolating challenging sections at a slower tempo. “Formula” would be a rewarding experience for student percussionists confident in rhythmic independence. For this reason, students with experience in marching bass drum might find it especially appealing. However, any younger player will find this piece to be an enjoyable introduction to the skills needed for further chamber music repertoire.
Jason Baker
Percussive Notes
Vol. 59, No. 4, August 2021 Jason Baker on Jun 30th 2022
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